A question for people who use image descriptions

[alias_sqbr]

I always try and add alt tags, descriptions, and (when relevant) transcripts to my images. But I thought it was worth checking to see if anyone who uses these things (because of visual impairments, text-only browsing, speaking English as a second language etc) has any preferences for me doing them differently (and thus I ask here, where I post my art, rather than at my Serious Business journal). If I'm going to do them I might as well make them as useful as possible.

I guess my main questions are:

1)do you find the posts consisting of just a thumbnail which acts as a link confusing or otherwise annoying? I'd add descriptions but they get LONG sometimes and there's always a description at the DeviantArt page. Still, I'm not sure that's clear. Annoyingly, the DA template I use to make the thumbnail link doesn't come with alt tags so I have to remember them myself and sometimes I forget. I may complain.

2)Are the very short alt tags clear? I tend to just use the name of the piece assuming that's enough in context. For the previous type of post, would "Title of piece. Click for description" or something be better?

3)Do you find the descriptions and transcripts useable? It's hard to have them not get all mixed up with the notes etc on DeviantArt since there's just the one text box for everything (here's an example DeviantArt comic with transcript) I tend to put all my comics on AO3 eventually but it's a hassle so DeviantArt is my default.

I've googled, but couldn't find any specific advice.

I can't guarantee I'll put all suggestions into effect (or at least not right away, I have trouble changing a behaviour pattern once I'm used to it) but I will definitely keep them all in mind and appreciate anything you guys have to suggest.

Comments

[velithya]

I think your transcriptions/descriptions on your dA notes are fine. Sure dA has just the one text box but you separate the various bits you are putting in there and it all looks fine imo.

[sqbr]

Thanks. I think it looks ok too, but I have no idea what it's like hearing it, for example.

[jeshyr]

OK...

*checks stuff*

Okaaaaaay.

[ For Reference: I like descriptions/transcripts because although I'm not blind (don't know if there's a definition for "low vision") I can't see well (especially on low spoon days) and not making a big effort to look at stuff saves spoons too. For reference, my comfortable reading size for text is about 2cm tall text (not counting decenders). ]

I never even noticed that you DID descriptions and transcripts and stuff on dA or AO3 because I go "Oh, image. Blah." and never click through. I read the meta stuff you write in the post, but I've never bothered to look at the image to see if there's extra stuff there because 99% of linked images of the picture kind just link to bigger versions of the same image.

Now I know, I'll look. But I suspect casual readers might not realise either... and I suspect that people with vision issues are especially unlikely to click through a link they spspect only has visual stuff at the end. But both of these are just assumptions/suspicions based on my own behaviour... others mileage probably varies.

Take-home point: Could you perhaps alter the link so it says "$title_of_work with transcript/visual description" instead of just "$title_of_work"? The visible part of it, I mean - because if it was in the alt attribute I'd never see it because I do load images (even if they're blurry they're useful often, and not loading images often mucks up page format on the web generally).

[jeshyr]

PS
Did I forget to mention lately how much you rock for caring about all this stuff? YOU ROCK. If most people rocked as much as you I wouldn't have had the above problem because I could assume that descriptions were likely. But most people don't. Thank you for rocking! :)

[jeshyr]

PPS
I know you did not ask for cookies, but sometimes extra cookies are good anyway :)

[sqbr]

Oh, hey. That's really obvious now that you put it like that. Thanks heaps for pointing that out (as well as describing the "views images but can't really see them" POV, which I hadn't considered), I'll try and remember to make my descriptions more informative and enticing.

Cookies are not required but are always appreciated :) I need enough accessibility things myself (though not so much online) that it only seems reasonable to try and offer as many as I can to others. Otherwise I lose the moral high ground from which to whinge about the lack of ramps :D